2006 Bodegas Faustino I Gran Reserva Rioja

Bodegas Faustino, one of the ‘First Families of Rioja’, was founded in 1861 by the Martinez family and is actively managed today by the 6th generation Martinez daughters. Faustino is one of the most recognized wineries for aging wines, not only in Spain but around the world. The winery proudly produces and ages Spain’s largest collection of library Rioja Gran Reserva in the world dating back to 1955. Faustino has one of the largest barrel rooms in Rioja and Europe with 47,000 new oak barrels (70% American 30% French) and 10 million bottles aging.

Faustino is the #1 selling DOCa Rioja Gran Reserva in the USA. Extensively lauded by media, trade, and consumers worldwide, the Gran Reserva 2001 was awarded 97 pts from Decanter and listed as one of the ‘Best Wines in the World’ alongside the 2010 Chateau Haut Brion and the 2010 Chateau Mouton Rothschild.

Faustino is the largest vineyard landowner in Rioja with over 650 hectares (1,300 acres) mostly in high altitude vineyards at Rioja Alavesa & Rioja Alta.

Winemaking at Faustino celebrates tradition and has deliberately maintained a distinct, consistent, and elegant house style for Gran Reserva and Reserva since the 1950s. On the flip side, the winery also produces modern, fruit-forward Crianza and a collection of generous entry point wines under the Faustino VII label.

Aging: 26 months in American oak.

Tasting Notes: Red Wine. 86% Tempranillo, 9% Graciano, and 5% Mazuelo. Clean, bright. Ruby color developing to maroon. On the nose is complex and elegant, wide fruity and spicy notes. On the mouth, elegant, with pleasant hints due to the barrel aging. Long and silky finish.